<p>The increasing aging of our society means that more and more older and very old individuals suffer from chronic kidney failure, often necessitating dialysis; however, due to the complications associated with dialysis treatment, such as cardiovascular issues and infections, patients under dialysis often have a poorer prognosis than some cancer patients and initiation of this treatment is not always advisable. In some cases it may be more prudent to consider discontinuing or withholding dialysis if the overall situation deteriorates. The term palliative nephrology has emerged to address this relatively new aspect of our field. Ethical considerations play a&#xa0;crucial role in medical decision making, particularly in the care of terminally ill patients. Unfortunately, this facet is often overlooked in both medical education and specialist training. Therefore, this article provides a&#xa0;concise overview of the ethical aspects of appropriate care of terminally ill patients. The care of severely ill and dying patients is among the most profound responsibilities of medical practice and medical skills. It is essential for every healthcare professional to recognize that death is an inevitable part of the human experience and at some time we will all have the same fate. For this reason alone, we have a&#xa0;collective responsibility to equip future generations of caregivers with the necessary skills and values, which requires a&#xa0;commitment to professional, ethical, psychological and humanistic training.</p>